Nintendo Land packs twelve mini-games into one Wii U package, and the result is a mixed bag that mostly delivers on fun. The games borrow ideas from classic Nintendo series, and each one feels built for the console’s motion controls and touchscreen. Some stand out. Others feel like filler.
Trailer, via Nintendo of America.
The Twelve Games
The game splits into twelve distinct modes, each based on a familiar Nintendo property:
- Animal Crossing: New Leaf
- Pikmin Adventure
- Luigi’s Mansion
- Donkey Kong Country
- Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
- Metroid Dread
- 1-2 Switch
- Yoshi’s Woolly World
- GamePad Challenge
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Animal Crossing: New Leaf is the standout. Players build a small village, dig for fossils, fish in rivers and talk with neighbors. The touch screen comes into play often, and the game’s charm carries it far. It’s one of the strongest entries in the package.
Pikmin Adventure
Pikmin Adventure is the other clear winner. Players guide a small team through levels filled with enemies and obstacles, using a touch screen map to plan paths. It’s a fast, engaging challenge that makes great use of the Wii U’s hardware. The level design is strong, and the pace keeps players engaged.
Luigi’s Mansion
Luigi’s Mansion is a solid addition, but it feels less essential than the other two. Players guide a ghost hunter through haunted halls, and the game uses the touch screen for some elements, though not as heavily as the others. It’s a decent way to spend an afternoon, but it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the best entries.
Donkey Kong Country and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Donkey Kong Country and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker offer brief, clever puzzles. Donkey Kong Country returns as a platformer where players guide a barreled hero through obstacles, while Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker tasks players with moving small objects to reach treasure. Both are fun in short doses, but neither has the staying power of the top two games.
Metroid Dread
Metroid Dread is a weak link. It’s a maze-like stage where players search for a hidden path, but it feels thin compared to the main Metroid games. It’s a decent diversion, but it doesn’t earn its place alongside the stronger entries.
1-2 Switch
1-2 Switch rounds out the package with simple multiplayer games. It’s the weakest entry. The games include Rhythm Heaven, Splat Zones, Shuffleboard and Sword Practice — easy to understand but lacking depth. They exist mainly to fill space rather than entertain. It’s fine for a quick gathering, but it’s not a reason to buy the package on its own.
Presentation and Replay Value
The presentation shows its age. The graphics are functional rather than striking, and the menus can feel dated compared to newer releases. None of this breaks the game, but it keeps Nintendo Land from feeling essential. The game also doesn’t push players to return. Most games can be completed in one sitting, and there isn’t much reason to come back once the credits roll. That’s a fair trade for a launch title, but it limits the package’s staying power.
Final Score
Nintendo Land is a solid, if uneven, collection. Its best games justify the purchase, while its weaker entries hold it back from greatness.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.
